U.S. patent number 3,654,392 [Application Number 05/026,365] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-04 for electronic game board system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Gilbert D. Beinhocker. Invention is credited to Gilbert D. Beinhocker, John S. Galinato.
United States Patent |
3,654,392 |
Beinhocker , et al. |
April 4, 1972 |
ELECTRONIC GAME BOARD SYSTEM
Abstract
An automated electronic system for the remote communication and
display of chess or other board game moves in real time via a
voice-grade telephone line. Each player has an electronic console
which includes a chess board operative to provide unique indication
of each of the 64 squares of the board and means for sending and
receiving coded representations of each move.
Inventors: |
Beinhocker; Gilbert D.
(Cambridge, MA), Galinato; John S. (Pacoima, CA) |
Assignee: |
Beinhocker; Gilbert D.
(Belmont, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
21831393 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/026,365 |
Filed: |
April 7, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/93.13;
340/323R; 273/237; 340/870.07; 379/106.01; 379/93.37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
3/00643 (20130101); A63F 3/022 (20130101); A63F
2003/086 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
3/02 (20060101); A63F 3/08 (20060101); H04m
011/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/136A ;340/323,152
;178/18,19 ;179/2R,2DP,3,4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Claffy; Kathleen H.
Assistant Examiner: D'Amico; Tom
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A board game system comprising:
first and second electronic consoles each adapted to communicate
with the other via a common transmission path and each adapted to
transmit a move sequence of a game piece to the other console and
to display a move sequence received from the other console, each of
said consoles including:
a multiple square game board each square including illumination
means and switch means for detecting the lifting of a game piece
therefrom and for detecting the placement of a game piece
thereon;
logic circuitry operative in response to signals from said switch
means to provide a unique coded representation of the board squares
from which a game piece is lifted and on which a game piece is
placed to thereby provide a coded representation of a move
sequence;
means for transmitting a signal representative of said coded move
sequence over said common transmission path to the other
console;
means for receiving a signal from said transmission path
representative of a transmitted move sequence;
logic decoding circuitry operative to decode the received signal to
provide selective illumination of said illumination means to
indicate the transmitted move sequence.
2. A board game system according to claim 1 wherein said switch
means and said illumination means are each arranged within a
respective matrix, and said logic circuitry includes encoding means
operative to provide a coded signal representative of the
coordinate position of the board squares associated with a move
sequence, and said logic decoding circuitry includes decoding means
operative to provide a coded signal representative of the
coordinate position of the board squares associated with a move
sequence.
3. A board game system according to claim 1 wherein said logic
circuitry includes:
an up-down counter operative in response to said coded
representation of a move sequence to provide an output pulse train
representative of the identity of the board squares from which a
game piece is lifted and on which a game piece is placed.
4. A board game system according to claim 3 wherein said signal
transmitting means includes a tone modulator operative to provide
tone signals corresponding and in response to said pulse train from
said counter.
5. A board game system according to claim 3 wherein said first and
second consoles are each coupled to said common transmission path
by means of an acoustically coupled telephone.
6. A board game system according to claim 5 wherein said signal
transmitting means includes a tone modulator operative to provide
tone signals corresponding and in response to said pulse train from
said counter; and
a loudspeaker operative in response to said tone signals to provide
audio tones to said transmission path.
7. A board game system according to claim 5 wherein said signal
receiving means includes:
a microphone operative to receive audio signals from said
transmission path; and
a pulse detector operative in response to signals from said
microphone to provide pulse signals representative of a transmitted
move sequence.
8. A board game system according to claim 1 wherein said logic
circuitry includes:
an up-down counter operative in a transmitting mode to be preset to
numbers representative of the board squares associated with a move
sequence and to provide a pulse train representative of said move
sequence, and operative in a receiving mode to count up to numbers
representative of a transmitted move sequence.
9. A board system according to claim 8 wherein said logic decoding
circuitry includes first and second decoders operative in response
to said pulse train from said counter to provide matrix
interrogation signals for said illumination means matrix to
selectively illuminate said board squares associated with the
transmitted move sequence.
10. A board game system according to claim 1 wherein said
illumination means are momentarily actuated to denote a move
sequence by means of flashing board squares associated with the
move sequence.
11. A board game system according to claim 1 wherein said game
board is a chess board and said logic circuitry includes means for
providing a coded representation of a castling move sequence.
12. A chess game system comprising:
first and second electronic consoles each adapted to communicate
with the other via a common transmission path and each adapted to
transmit a coded move sequence of a game piece to the other console
and to display a move sequence received from the other console,
each of said consoles including:
a multiple square chess board each square of which includes switch
means and illumination means, said switch means and said
illumination means each being connected in a row and column matrix
configuration conforming to said chess board;
a matrix encoder coupled to said switch means matrix and operative
upon removal of a game piece from a board square or placement of a
game piece thereon to provide first row and column matrix signals
unique to that board square;
first logic circuitry coupled to said matrix encoder and operative
to provide a binary coded representation of the identity of the
board squares of a move sequence defined by removal of a game piece
from one of said board squares and placement of said game piece
onto another one of said board squares;
means operative in response to said binary coded representation to
transmit a signal representative of said move sequence over said
common transmission path to the other one of said consoles;
means for receiving a signal from said common transmission path
representative of a transmitted move sequence;
second logic circuitry coupled to said receiving means and
operative to provide a binary coded representation of the identity
of the board squares associated with said transmitted move
sequence;
a matrix decoder operative in response to said binary coded
representation of said second logic circuitry to provide second row
and column matrix signals; and
means for applying said second row and column matrix signals to
said illumination means matrix to illuminate the board squares of
said transmitted move sequence.
13. A chess game system according to claim 12 wherein said first
named means includes:
an up-down counter operative in a transmitting mode to be preset to
a number corresponding to said binary coded representation and to
provide a pulse train representative of said move sequence;
and wherein said second logic circuitry includes said up-down
counter operative in a receiving mode to count up to a number
representative of said binary coded representation of said second
logic circuitry.
14. A chess game system according to claim 13 including:
means coupled to said matrix encoder and operative to provide a
transmitted control signal to denote an impending move
sequence;
and wherein said signal receiving means includes means operative in
response to said transmitted control signal to provide a second
control signal for setting said counter in an up count mode.
15. A chess game system according to claim 12 including on each of
said first and second electronic consoles:
control means for indicating a castling move to be made; and
means operative in response to said control indication to cause
transmission of a signal representative of a double move sequence
defining said castling move.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to a
system for communicating and displaying chess moves or the like in
real time via telephone line.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is no convenient way in which to play a game of chess when
the players are physically separated from one another.
Conventionally, in games played by mail, telegram or by telephone,
the intended moves must be written or spoken to communicate the
move to the other player. In the long time between moves in a mail
game, or in the case of telephone chess games, recitation of the
chess moves can detract from the concentration and intellectual
pleasure of the game. Moreover, in such remotely played games, the
players must know the universal chess code by which moves are
communicated.
Apparatus is known wherein a player's move can be remotely
indicated, for example, on a large display board such as may be
used during tournament play. Systems have been proposed for playing
chess and similar games where the players are physically separated
from one another. Such systems in general have provided a means for
communicating a move to the remotely located opponent and means for
signalling instructions and various special conditions to the
opponent. These systems have not found practical acceptance since
they have in general been rather cumbersome and have often required
complex interconnection by means of a large number of wires. Use of
such systems proposed heretofore has also been limited to rather
short distances, such as adjacent rooms of a building, by reason of
the large number of interconnecting wires required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a game of chess can be
played over a telephone line by players separated by any distance
and in a manner which does not detract from the pleasure of the
game. The novel system includes a pair of electronic consoles, each
including a chess board and each located for use by a game
participant and operative to communicate and display moves without
ambiguity. Each of the 64 squares on each board is uniquely coded
and movement of any piece from one square to another causes
transmission of unique codes indicating the move sequence. The
coded data representing the move sequence is received at the remote
playing site and is decoded to display the sequence of the moves on
the remote board such as by flashing lights associated with the
board squares.
Each of the 64 squares on the chess board is uniquely coded and, by
reason of the logic of chess, indication of a move by remote
indication of the squares from which a move is being made to the
square to which a piece is moved completely defines the move to a
player at the remote site. The encoded information is transmitted
over a conventional telephone line, for example by means of an
acoustic coupler, and is decoded at the receiving site to indicate
the move sequence (on a "from/to" basis) on the opponent's board.
Each player moves his opponent's pieces in the manner indicated by
the transmitted move sequence such that each player can view his
own chess board throughout the game as if the opponent were present
and moving his own pieces. It will be appreciated that the game can
be played according to the invention with substantially the same
concentration and intellectual pleasure as when the game is played
with the opponent physically present.
Sensing of moves is accomplished by lifting and placement of each
piece on a square. Sensing can be accomplished for example by
noting a change in signal level depending upon the presence or
absence of a game piece on a particular square. Lifting of a piece
from a square can cause a signal level change in one sense, while
placement of a piece on a square can cause a signal level change of
opposite sense, thereby noting a move sequence from a first square
to a second square. The move sequence thus sensed is encoded
according to the unique coding of the squares in question and the
unique code transmitted via the interconnecting telephone line to
the remote station where the received data is decoded to illuminate
or otherwise actuate the corresponding squares of the opponent's
board to denote the move being made.
A particularly satisfactory means for indicating a move sequence is
to employ at the receiving site for a light sequence of two
flashing lights which momentarily indicate the squares from which a
piece is moved and to which the piece is moved. The squares
themselves may be illuminated by individually associated lamps or
the squares may be constructed of an electroluminescent material to
facilitate signalling of move sequences.
Controls and indicators are provided to further automate the game
communication. A signalling control is provided on each console to
alert the opponent that a conversation is requested, in which case
the phone can simply be lifted from the acoustic coupler for
conversational use, after which the phone can be replaced onto the
coupler for communication of game moves. When the telephone is
removed from the coupler during the game, the board circuitry can
be deactivated to prevent possible false move indication caused by
room noise. A preparatory signal is transmitted to the remote site
to signal that a move is about to be made. The opponent is thereby
alerted so that he will not miss the impending move sequence noted
by the flashing squares. A timer can also be provided to define an
interval in which a move was not made or to indicate a move made
outside of the allotted time.
It will be appreciated that the invention is also useful to
communicate moves in a variety of other board games, such as
checkers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more fully understood from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a game playing console according to
the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cutaway pictorial view of one embodiment of a game
board according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a cutaway pictorial view of an alternative embodiment of
a game board according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a board game system according to the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the logic circuitry of the console of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a timing diagram useful in illustrating operation of the
invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the pulse detector of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the count control
logic of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the lamp enable logic
of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A game playing console according to the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 1 and is employed with a like console located at a remote
site, the two consoles being coupled by means of a voice-grade
telephone line such as employed for voice communications in a
commercial telephone network. Since each console of the novel
system is identical, only a single console need be described
herein. Referring to FIG. 1, the console 10 includes a well known
64-square chess board 12, each square of which can be selectively
illuminated, in a manner to be described, to indicate moves being
made by the player at the remote playing site, and each square of
which is cooperative with associated chess pieces to encode moves
for communication to the receiving site. An acoustic coupler 14 is
provided at the rear of console 10 adjacent board 12, the coupler
being adapted to support a telephone handset 16 in operative
relationship thereon for transmission and reception of data on a
telephone line associated with a telephone employed. An operating
panel 18 is provided on a sloping front side of console 10 and
contains controls and indicators useful in the remote play of a
game according to the invention.
The operating panel typically includes a POWER switch 20 which is
illustrated as being of the illuminated type. Indicator lights 24
and 26, respectively labeled "WHITE" and "BLACK," provide a visual
indication of whose move it is. A TIMER switch 28 is provided to
initiate timing of an interval in which a move must be made. A
buzzer 30 provides an audible alarm to warn of the approaching
termination of a time interval for a move, while an indicator light
32 is provided to denote that a particular move was not made within
the allotted time. A push button switch 34 labelled "SIGNAL"
provides a means to manually signal the opponent that verbal
communication is desired and to signal that a move is forthcoming,
as will be described. For example, push button 34 can be depressed
once to cause sounding of a single tone on the buzzer 30 at the
receiving console to denote that a move is to be made, while
repetitive actuation of push button 34 can cause a repetitive
signal at the receiving site to denote that verbal communication
via the telephone is desired.
A RESET switch 35 is provided by which the console can be reset to
a receive mode, and is employed prior to commencement of a game to
reset the console circuitry. An INITIAL switch 36 is also provided
to set the console in a transmit mode. This switch is actuated by
the player who is to have the first move, in a chess game this
player being the one who has chosen the white pieces. Actuation of
switch 36 causes illumination of the WHITE move light 24 and during
play of a game, the WHITE move and BLACK move lights 24 and 26 will
alternately be illuminated to properly denote whose move it is. A
CASTLE switch 37 is provided to engage the logic circuitry
necessary for signalling a castling move, since this is the only
chess move in which two pieces are moved. The operation of the
castling circuit will be described in detail hereinafter.
As discussed, the game board 12 includes a plurality of squares,
each of which can be selectively illuminated to signal a move and
each of which is cooperative with an associated game piece to
detect removal of a piece from a square and placement of a piece on
a square. Illumination of the board squares can be accomplished in
a variety of ways; for example, each square can be made of a
translucent material such as glass or plastic and can be uniformly
illuminated by a lamp disposed below the respective squares. Such
an illumination arrangement is depicted in FIG. 2 and includes
individual board squares 38, each constructed of a suitable
translucent material and each having a lamp 39 disposed therebelow.
Opaque panels 40 are provided as illustrated to prevent spurious
illumination of a square by the lamp of adjacent squares. An
electrical jack 41 is provided in each square, and the associated
chess pieces 42 each have an electrical plug 43 adapted to mate
with a respective jack. The jacks 41 each have an associated switch
which is operative in response to removal of plug 43 therefrom or
placement of plug 43 therein. These board switches are connected in
a matrix and decoding and encoding logic circuitry is operative to
detect a switch opening or switch closure occasioned by respective
removal or placement of a playing piece on a square and to identify
the particular square corresponding to the activated board switch.
The lamps 39 for illuminating the board squares are similarly
interconnected in a matrix which is energized under control of the
logic circuitry to provide selective illumination of particular
lamps to indicate a move sequence.
The chess board can also be implemented such that no switch
hardware is visible on the playing board itself. Such a
configuration is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein magnetic switches 44
are employed beneath the chess board, with a single magnetic switch
associated with and disposed adjacent the bottom surface of each
board square 38. Each chess piece 42 in this embodiment has a plate
45, formed of metal or other magnetic material, on the bottom
surface thereof such that placement of the chess piece on a board
square causes actuation of the associated magnetic switch by reason
of the proximity of the magnetic plate 45 associated with the chess
piece.
The logic system for achieving operation of the invention is shown
in FIG. 4. The system includes a console 46 coupled via a telephone
line 47 to a second console 48, each console being operative to
transmit coded data to the other and to receive data therefrom.
Console 46 includes a game board 49 operative to detect the
movement of pieces thereon, logic circuitry 50 and 51, an encoder
52 coupling logic 50 to an acoustic coupler 53 and a decoder 54
coupling logic 54 to coupler 53. The acoustic coupler interconnects
console 46 and console 48 via the telephones associated with the
respective consoles. Console 48 is identical to console 46 and
includes an acoustic coupler 54 connected to an encoder 55 and a
decoder 56, in turn connected to respective logic circuitry 58 and
59 and thence to game board 60.
Each square of the game board is uniquely coded with a digital
number representing squares 1 through 64 such that any particular
square is uniquely designated by its coded representation. The
rules of chess impose precise constraints on the available moves
which may be made and thus a move can be fully defined by
indicating the squares from which and to which a move is being
made. The chess pieces themselves need not be encoded.
In operation, lifting of a piece 42 from a square on board 49
causes application of a signal to logic 50 which, in turn,
energizes encoder 52 to provide a coded representation of the
square from which the chess piece was lifted. This coded
representation, typically one or more audio tones, is transmitted
by means of acoustic coupler 53 and telephone line 47 to console 48
wherein the received information is decoded in decoder 56 and logic
59 to energize the corresponding square of board 60. Similarly,
placement of a piece 42 on the square to which the move is being
made causes generation of a unique code representative of that
square, which is transmitted to the remote console for decoding and
display of the corresponding square to which the move is made.
Thus, the remote illumination of two board squares completely
defines the transmitted move. The player at the receiving site
moves his opponent's piece in the manner indicated by the move
sequence. If an opponent's piece is already on the square to which
a move is being made, then by the rules of chess the opponent's
piece is taken. The castling move involves double movement of King
and Rook and is accomplished according to the invention in a manner
to be described hereinafter.
The logic system of the electronic console is illustrated in FIG. 5
and the system timing diagram is shown in FIG. 6. An array of board
switches 66 such as described above is associated with the playing
board such that removal of a piece from its square opens a
corresponding switch while placement of a piece on a square closes
a corresponding switch. There are 64 switches, one for each square,
and operation of each switch causes a change in voltage level which
is sensed and encoded to identify the particular square.
A switch encoder 68 translates the 64 switch positions into eight
row (X) lines and eight column (Y) lines of the switch matrix and
are respectively applied to an X counter encoder 70 and a Y counter
encoder 72. The switch encoder 68 also includes circuitry for
generation of a counter preset pulse for presetting of counter 74.
Switch encoder 68 also provides a signal to a one shot
multivibrator 67, which produces a prime signal which is applied
via an OR gate 75 to tone modulator 84. The prime signal is a pulse
train which is larger than the coded pulse trains representing the
board locations and which is generated upon lifting a game piece
from its square. This prime signal is operative to denote an
impending move and sets the receiving console in a receiving mode
of operation. Counter encoders 70 and 72 each encode the row and
column information applied thereto into a signal format for
operation of an up-down counter 74. Counter 74 typically is a six
bit, 64 state counter operative to count up a number of states
corresponding to the number of tone pulses received via the
telephone line and is also operative to be preset to one of 64
states by the coded representation of the board switch circuitry
and to count down to zero from the preset state.
In a receive mode of operation, counter 74 is operative to energize
an X counter decoder 76 and a Y counter decoder 78 which, in turn,
are operative to energize a lamp decoder and driver 80. Each
counter decoder 76 and 78 is operative in response to signals from
counter 74 to provide eight lines of row information and eight
lines of column information to suitably activate lamp decoder and
driver 80. Lamp decoder and driver 80 are operative in a matrix
configuration to selectively activate one of the 64 board lamps 82
associated with the playing board.
In the transmit mode, counter 74 applies a pulse train via OR gate
75 to tone modulator 84 which generates signals at one or the other
of two selected frequencies. The frequencies are within the
transmission band of the associated telephone line and are
sufficiently separated to permit suitable filtering at the
receiving console. Typically, the tone frequencies can be 1.1 KHz.
and 2.2 KHz. The tones thus produced are amplified in amplifier 86
and applied to a speaker 88 which is part of the acoustic coupler
and operative to provide a suitable audio level for transmission of
the tone data over the telephone line to the like console at the
receiving site.
Information received from a transmitting console is coupled via a
microphone 90 of the acoustic coupler to an amplifier 92 and thence
to a pulse detector 93. The output from pulse detector 93 is
applied to counter 74 and to lamp enable logic 94 and count control
logic 95. A clock 96 provides clock pulses to counter 74 in its
down-count mode. Lamp enable logic 94 controls energization of
board lamps 82 to provide momentary illumination of the lamps after
each move has been received and processed.
Typical signal formats for the system of FIG. 5 are shown in FIG.
6, specific reference to which is now made. The switch detect
signal is caused by closing or opening of a board switch by
placement of a game piece on a board square or removal thereof from
a square. The counter preset signal is provided by switch encoder
68 to cause control logic 95 to enable counter 74 in its down count
mode and to permit presetting thereof by binary signals from
encoders 70 and 72. A clock pulse train is produced by clock 96 for
operation of counter 74 in counting down from a preset count to
zero to cause transmission of a code representing the identity of
an actuated board square. The counter state pulses represent the
counter preset to identify square "3" and counted down to its zero
state to transmit the square identity. Modulator 84 provides the
tone signal which is an audio tone modulated by the clock train and
one of one frequency, typically 2.2 KHz., when the clock is low,
and of another frequency, typically 1.1 KHz., when the clock is
high.
At the receiving console, the received modulated tone is filtered
by bandpass filters 100 and 101 (FIG. 7) of pulse detector 93 to
recover the separate 1.1 KHz. and 2.2 KHz. tones which are employed
to drive counter 74 up to a state representing the identity of an
actuated square. The lamp enable sequence includes a delay interval
during which counter 74 is set to the state representing the
identity of a board square, after which the associated board lamp
is energized by lamp and enable signals from decoder 80 and logic
94 respectively.
The pulse detector 93 is illustrated in a typical implementation in
FIG. 7 and includes a pair of bandpass filters 100 and 101, each
connected to a respective pulse shaper 102 and 103, which in turn
are connected to the set and reset terminals, respectively, of a
flip-flop 104. The filters 100 and 101 are tuned respectively to
the two tones transmitted from the transmitting console. The pulses
derived from the received modulated pulses cause alternate setting
and resetting of flip-flop 104 which provides up-count pulses to
counter 74. A pulse width detector 105 is responsive to the longer
pulse train initially transmitted to provide a received prime
signal for enabling the receiving mode of operation. The received
prime signal is applied by way of the counter control logic 95
(FIG. 5) to set the counter 74 in an up-count mode for
receiving.
The counter control logic is illustrated more particularly in FIG.
8 and includes a send-receive counter and decoder 110 connected via
AND gates 111 and 112 and OR gate 113 to a JK flip-flop 114. The
transmitted prime signal and the received prime signal are each
applied to counter and decoder 110 by way of OR gate 109. A castle
signal and its reciprocal signal (CASTLE), derived from the CASTLE
switch 37 are applied via respective gates 111 and 112 to OR gate
113 and thence to flip-flop 114. An initial signal from switch 36
is applied via OR gate 113 to flip-flop 114. The send or receive
mode is established by the state of flip-flop 114. The counter 74
is set in an up-count mode for receiving and in a down-count mode
for transmitting.
It will be appreciated that a transmitted prime signal is generated
twice during a move sequence, once when a piece is lifted from its
square and again when the piece is placed on another square.
Counter and decoder 110 is operative to count the transmitted prime
signals and to produce an output signal after two such prime
signals have been received. This output signal is applied to AND
gate 112 together with the reciprocal castle signal which is
present except when a castling-move is selected. The output signal
from gate 112 is directed via OR gate 113 to the trigger input of
flip-flop 114 to cause an output signal which sets counter 74 in a
down-count mode for transmitting.
Similarly, the receipt of two received prime signals causes an
output signal to AND gate 112 which provides a signal via gate 113
to flip-flop 114, causing a change of state which sets counter 74
in an up-count mode for receiving. Counter 74 is thus alternately
set after the sending or receiving of two coded square positions
into a transmitting or a receiving mode to affect generation and
receipt of move sequences.
The castling move requires the double movement of pieces and
counter and decoder 110 is also operative to count four transmitted
and received prime signals, as provided during a castling move
sequence, and to provide an output signal to AND gate 111 after
receipt of four such signals. Gate 111 also receives a castle
signal from the castle switch 37 and provides a signal via OR gate
113 to flip-flop 114 to cause a change of state. Thus, during a
castling move, counter 74 remains in a transmitting or a receiving
state until the four coded square positions have been either sent
or received, as the case may be. In response to a castle signal
provided by actuation of the CASTLE switch 37, the counter decoder
110 provides a second output operative to permit transmission of a
four square move sequence such as encountered only during a
castling move.
The lamp enable circuit is shown in greater detail in FIG. 9. The
received prime signal from pulse detector 93 is applied to an
inhibit one shot 121, which in turn applies a signal to an enable
one shot 122. After a predetermined time delay provided by one shot
121, an inhibit signal is directed to board lamp 82, and after a
second time delay provided by one shot 122, an enable signal is
directed to lamp 82. In this manner the board lamps are enabled
only after a valid move signal has been received and processed. The
invention has an inherent self-checking feature in that noise which
may be processed by the system will in all probability cause an
illegal move sequence which would be indicative of an error
condition.
In operation, to communicate a move from a selected square to
another, a particular chess piece is moved in a selected sequence
causing opening of the board switch associated with the square from
which the piece is removed and subsequent closing of the board
switch 66 associated with the square to which the piece is moved.
Opening of a board switch 66 causes a prime signal to be
transmitted which sets the counter 74 in the receiving console in a
receive mode, and causes a signal from switch encoder 68 which is
operative to identify the location of the opened switch by its
matrix position, and to apply row and column signals to counter
encoders 70 and 72 which translate this matrix information into a
binary code for presetting of counter 74. Counter 74 is thus preset
to a count representative of the actuated board switch position
and, under the government of clock 96, counter 74 is counted down
to its zero state to yield a number of pulses corresponding to the
identity of the actuated board square switch. The output pulses
from the counter 74 are applied to a tone modulator 84 which
converts the pulses into audio frequency tones which are amplified
in amplifier 86 to an audio level suitable for driving of a speaker
88 which is part of the acoustic coupler to apply the audio tones
to the telephone line for transmission to the receiving
console.
At the receiving station, the audio signals received by the local
telephone are applied to microphone 90 which provides a pulse
modulated output signal to an amplifier 92, the output signal of
which is applied to a pulse detector 93 which detects the envelope
of the pulse modulated signal and applies the received prime signal
to the up-count system for enabling the receiving mode and also
applies signals to counter 74 to cause the counter to be driven to
a count representative of the position of the actuated board switch
at the transmitting console. The settling count in counter 74 is
decoded by counter decoders 76 and 78 which provide row and column
information to lamp decoder and driver 80 and to lamp enable logic
94 for actuation of a particular board lamp corresponding to the
board square associated with the actuated switch.
Various modifications and alternative implementations of the
invention will occur to those versed in the art without departing
from the true scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the
electronic circuitry can be implemented in many ways, and
transmission paths other than telephone lines can be employed, such
as radio links. A relatively large display board can also be
employed in conjunction with the game playing consoles for
displaying moves to an audience. Such a display board can be
identical to the console boards but without the operating controls
and indicators and interconnection of such a display board into the
system can be accomplished in a well-known manner. In addition, a
plurality of consoles can be multiplexed onto a single transmission
path in a well-known manner. Accordingly, it is not intended to
limit the invention by what has been particularly shown and
described, except as indicated in the appended claims.
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